Beinn Resipol from Strontian

Its size and stand-alone position give Beinn Resipol one of the best views on the west coast, a huge arc of islands and mountains spanning points as varied as Schiehallion and the Skye Cuillin (on a clear day at least). Resipol is an excellent hill in its own right too, rough, rocky and not overly tamed by modern conveniences such as paths. The up-and-back route described here is one of the easiest and possibly the most popular on the hill, but still gives a good sense of the tough going to be found out in this rugged corner of Scotland's wild west. For those that care about these things, the ascent of Resipol also gains you one Corbett tick.

Garbh Bheinn (left) & Creach Bheinn from Beinn Resipol

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Height Profile
metres / Distance
miles

Detailed description

1

NM8055262184 At the layby the tarmac runs out and the road continues as an unsurfaced track. Follow this, and at the turnoff to the house at Longrigg continue straight on, traversing the hillside overlooking Strontian to a track junction. Here there's a marker post pointing out the trail to Polloch.

2

NM8131963346 Turn left onto the Polloch track, which now begins to climb. Soon pass a small water works, and continue uphill beside the Allt nan Cailleach. This track is an old 'coffin route', along which corpses were formerly carried for burial on St Finnan's Isle in Loch Shiel; in the 18th and 19th centuries it also served as a miner's track. Lead was once mined quite extensively in the hills above the village, which also gives its name to the mineral Strontium, first discovered hereabouts. Cairns mark the high point of the track.

3

NM7977865216 Turn left off the track here, and contour roughly west across the bogs on Meall an t-Slugain. There's an occasional very vague hint of path, but it's never visible for long. The gist is obvious anyway - you're heading for the big steep hill dead ahead; the slope between two prominent burns on the eastern flanks of Beinn Resipol is a good spot to aim at.

4

NM7869765527 Make a rising traverse across the steep grassy hillside, then follow the east ridge of Beinn Resipol - broad at first, but becoming better defined as you gain height. Once up on top of the hill a series of rocky false summits lead you west to the big cairn that marks the high point.

5

NM7667965493 If you've arranged transport you can continue west to end up at the caravan park in Resipole (see Accommodation); otherwise just return the way you came.